Boston bicycle accidents an ongoing concern as city named on of America’s best cycling locations

CNN reports that cities named by Bicycle Magazine as some of the most bike-friendly in the nation are also among the metropolitan areas experiencing the biggest challenges in the relationship between cyclists and motorists.

As we reported last month on our Boston Injury Attorney Blog, the high number of Boston bicycle accidents continues to trouble authorities. The Boston Globe reported there were 700 bicycle accidents in the city in 2008. Boston ranked 8th on Bicycle Magazine’s top cycling cities in America.

CNN points to differences in attitude even within the Boston area, where motorists in Brookline and Cambridge are typically more considerate of cyclists, while the South Boston attitude stops just short of war.

Cyclists see the Critical Mass rides — which occur the last Friday of each month — as riders coming together to promote cycling rights and awareness.

Some drivers, as CNN reports, see them as “nothing more than spandex wearing, stop-sign-running Lance Armstrong wannabes who slow traffic.”

But it’s important to note that attempting to teach a cyclist a lesson is a very bad idea. Most riders are responsible and are very aware of how dangerous cycling can be. Massachusetts cycling accidents frequently lead to very serious or fatal injuries for the cyclist and serious civil liability and even criminal charges for an at-fault motorist.

The popularity of cycling continues to increase. More than 18 million bikes are sold each year, according to the National Sporting Goods Association and about 1 in 4 adults ride at least once each summer. More than 6 percent of commuters ride to work — up 600 percent from the 1 percent reported a decade ago.Boston Bicycle Accident Attorney Jeffrey S. Glassman is a cycling advocate known for fighting for the rights of clients who have been seriously injured or killed in cycling accidents throughout Massachusetts. Contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Glassman for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 877-617-5333